Sam hurried through the parking lot, cursing to herself. Of course on the one day she sleeps in a little bit every single traffic light is red. Not to mention the detour on main street, she sighed. She broke into a sprint when the elevator doors, not five feet away started to close. It would be at least a good five minutes until it was back at the surface again. A hand stopped the door from the inside.

"Carter! Good morning!"

"Sir!" Sam held back a grin, "thank you."

"Running a bit late today Major?" Sam breathlessly rambled on about her morning obstacles. This elevator ride was Jack's favorite part of the day. Usually he and Carter arrived at the same time and rode the twenty-some odd floors down to the SGC, but today she didn't show up. After waiting a good ten minutes Jack figured that she had either arrived really early or possibly never left the night before (which wouldn't surprise him) and gave up. He barely spotted Carter running for the elevator before he threw his arm against the door.

"…so I'm off to a bit of a crazy start I guess." Carter finished. "Hopefully things will calm down from here, but the probability of that is slim to none."

"It's Thursday, Carter. I've ordered the day to be peaceful."

"Pizza night Colonel?"

"Absolutely. The day's barely started and I'm already counting down to the end. It's 830 hours now; we actually get out on time… about ten hours? Almost there!" Jack clapped his hands together, making Carter giggle.

"Does Haley get as excited for these pizza nights as you do?" Sam wondered.

"Are you kidding me? If she could the kid would live on that stuff. Not that I haven't thought of it from time to time."

"So how has she been doing?" SG1 had been close to Haley, much like aunts and uncles to her, but Haley had been clinging onto Sam a lot lately. Jack figured she liked having a mother figure and welcomed the chance to have Carter spend time with them.

"Eh, she's still having a bit of a rough time. Last night she had another nightmare. I feel so helpless for her sometimes."

"I'm sure knowing you're there makes all the difference, Sir." Carter gave Jack a pat on the arm, and their eyes met. Each felt tiny shivers down their spines (not that they'd ever admit to it) and shared a smile. Jack awkwardly looked down at his shoes, searching for the perfect response when he was saved by the elevator doors opening. The pair walked quietly down the corridors until Jack finally broke the silence.

"So what's this debriefing for again?"

"Daniel is going to be talking about the relation between the culture of P2X418 and Ancient Greece."

Jack groaned and came to a stop. "Wonderful! Do I have time to run and grab my yoyo?"

"No Sir, we're already late."

"But Carter this could take HOURS."

"Colonel, it won't be that bad, come on." Sam waved her hand for him to follow as she picked up her pace. "We're really late right now!"

Jack sighed, frustrated with the fact that he was the one taking orders from his 2IC. When they stepped into the briefing room, sure enough Daniel, Teal'c, and General Hammond were all waiting. Both mumbled apologies and sat down. Daniel seemed to be buzzing with energy, which made Jack nervous. He wondered if Frasier had finally agreed to put coffee into an IV.

As Daniel told myths, presented pictures, and basically just talked to no end, Jack surveyed the room. Across from him Teal'c stoically sat perfectly upright, almost like a statue. After a while Jack realized that Teal'c blinked every forty-five seconds. He wouldn't be too surprised if the Jaffa was in the middle of kel-nor-em right now. He'd have a few questions, like how Teal'c knew to raise an eyebrow or nod every now and then, but seriously, not shocked.

General Hammond took notes as Daniel spoke, what Jack wouldn't give for a notepad to doodle on. Nah he'd be caught. By who? Carter? Yeah, but she wouldn't rat you out! Jack contemplated this, and eventually decided to hold out on asking for a notepad until he got really desperate. Carter sat next to Jack looking deeply interested in everything Daniel was saying. Jack was pretty sure it was an act; she wasn't too interested on mythology stuff either. Carter was probably figuring out some crazy scientific formula in her head right now.

Sam felt Jack's eyes on her and gave him a slight smile. She figured he was onto her, and knew that she wasn't paying attention to Daniel either. At least she wasn't as blatantly obvious as he was, twiddling his fingers and playing with the hem of his sleeves. Jack leaned back in his chair and gave Sam an I'm onto you look. She responded with an even bigger smile. This time General Hammond glanced in their direction and rolled his eyes a little. Daniel continued to lecture.

"Dr. Jackson, how about we take a short coffee break?" the General suggested.

Daniel was startled by the interruption. "Uh, sure Sir… That sounds fine…" Daniel put down his papers and stood up.

"Ah, yes!" Jack cried out, drawing dirty looks from Hammond and Daniel. "I ah, was very thirsty, that's all… I'm still very much looking forward to the rest of your discussion on the Greeks and… stuff… afterwards!" Daniel shook his head as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Do you really think you need more of that stuff, buddy?" Jack asked.

"Oh it doesn't affect me that much."

"I disagree DanielJackson," Teal'c voiced, drawing everyone's attention. "You have not stood still once since your arrival this morning." Sam stifled a laugh as Daniel frowned.

"General, do I have time to run to my office?" Jack questioned.

"Quickly Colonel, we'll start up again in a few minutes." General Hammond looked at his watch. "Five minutes." Oh gosh, he's getting his yoyo, Sam sighed. Everyone quietly sipped their coffee while waiting for Jack's return and Daniel sorted through his notes.

"You seem to be really interested in this Sam," Daniel falsely noted. "Is there anything you'd like me to explain in extra detail? We could always get together and discuss this further."

"Oh, that's alright Daniel, but I really do appreciate that. I'm curious what Teal'c has to say." Teal'c raised an eyebrow towards Sam. She felt guilty, but was anxious to get Daniel off her back.

"I have no questions for DanielJackson, MajorCarter. Perhaps GeneralHammond has some concerns?" Teal'c passed the torch on. Hammond looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he froze with his mug just touching his lips.

"Yes, yes, I would like to hear more before I voice any of my opinions on this matter, but thank you very much for your thoughtfulness Teal'c." He would find a way to make the Jaffa pay later. At that moment Jack burst into the room, looking somewhat winded.

"I'm back!"

"Thank you for the announcement Colonel. Shall we proceed, Dr. Jackson?" General Hammond called the room into order.

P I "Okay let's see? Where did I leave off? Ah, yes, P2C939..." Daniel started showing footage of a temple as Jack quietly played with his yoyo under the table. He was pretty discreet for the first hour, but by hour two he started getting into it, drawing attention. Just as Jack was attempting to walk the dog Daniel walked over to him and looked down, like a disappointed teacher. "Are you really that bored by all of this Jack?"

"I'm sorry Daniel, but YES!"

"This is our history we're learning about Jack."

"Exactly, it's in the past! What good is it now? This is the present. Shouldn't we spending our time trying to find ways to fight the Goauld?"

"We're learning from the past! If these places are connected then we are learning about the Goauld in the process! This is monumental stuff Jack!" Daniel started getting irritated and was waving his hands in the air. Sam and Teal'c quietly watched on.

"And I suppose we're learning about how to, say, take out the system lords by reading a MYTH?" Jack was starting to raise his voice, and it was clear that both tempers were starting to run high.

Daniel threw up his arms again, "I cannot believe-"

"Gentlemen!" General Hammond interrupted. "I think it's time you two cool down. It's lunchtime anyways, you have an hour."

"Thank you Sir," Sam said. She, Teal'c, and Jack stood up, and headed towards the mess hall. Daniel stayed behind to clean up his papers.

"Don't let Colonel O'Neill get to you, Dr. Jackson," Hammond tried to console the archeologist.

"Oh I know. He just is very good at pushing my buttons!" Daniel laughed. "I should just let him play with his toys. Why let him ruin it for the rest of you?" With that Daniel headed for his office, leaving an amused General.

xxxxx

"I don't know, Sir, I think you can be a little hard on Daniel." Sam told Jack.

"Me? Oh come on, listen to him sometimes and tell me he doesn't ask for it?" Jack backfired.

"Ask for what O'Neill?" Teal'c questioned.

"Oh for crying out loud!" Jack gave a giant dramatic sigh and poked at his jello. Sam stifled a laugh. "No giggling Major."

"I'm going to try to get some work done in my lab before we finish our meeting. I'll see you guys in a little bit." Sam picked up her tray and left the table.

"And then there were two…" Jack said.

"O'Neill, ask for what?" Teal'c repeated.